Three former Trinamool Congress leaders filed nomination papers for Rajya Sabha by-elections in West Bengal on Monday [1].
The shift signals a significant realignment of political power in the state as high-profile figures migrate to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This movement follows their resignations from the Upper House to contest as BJP candidates.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik submitted their papers at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in Kolkata [1], [3]. The filing took place in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya [1].
The candidates are contesting three available Rajya Sabha seats [4]. The by-polls for these positions are scheduled for July 24, 2026 [4].
In explaining their decision to switch parties, the candidates said corruption within the TMC was a primary motivator [2]. This transition comes as the BJP maintains a strong presence in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly, where it holds 208 MLAs [5].
Because of this legislative strength, the party is positioned to influence the outcome of the upcoming by-elections. The process began on July 13, 2026 [1], marking a formal step in the BJP's effort to consolidate its hold on the region's representation in the Upper House.
“The candidates cited corruption in the TMC as a reason for switching parties.”
The defection of these leaders to the BJP, coupled with the party's current strength of 208 seats in the state assembly, suggests a likely sweep of the Rajya Sabha by-polls. By absorbing former TMC figures, the BJP is not only expanding its legislative numbers but also attempting to weaken the opposition's internal stability and public image in West Bengal.
